Ted Cruz Accuses Tinubu Government of Using Lobbyists to Downplay Christian Killings

United States Senator Ted Cruz has accused the Nigerian government of engaging American lobbying firms to deflect international criticism over the persistent killings of Christians and other religious minorities, arguing that public relations campaigns cannot substitute for decisive action against insecurity.

Cruz made the remarks after the United States House of Representatives approved an amendment seeking to increase the withholding of US assistance to Nigeria from 50 per cent to 100 per cent until the country demonstrates effective measures to prevent and respond to violence within its territory.

The amendment was adopted by voice vote last week as concerns continue to grow in Washington over insecurity and religious freedom in Nigeria.

In a post on X, the Republican senator alleged that Nigerian authorities had failed to adequately address attacks on Christians while instead investing in lobbying efforts aimed at improving the country's image in the United States.

"Nigerian officials have created an environment that facilitates mass violence against Christians and religious minorities by imposing blasphemy and Sharia laws and looking the other way at jihadist atrocities," Cruz said.

"The US government knows the Nigerian officials responsible for these policies. I have been pushing my bill to sanction them, and President Trump has even ordered military action."

He argued that instead of addressing the concerns raised by American lawmakers, Nigerian officials opted to embark on what he described as a public relations campaign.

"Instead of responding to American concerns, Nigerian officials waged a public relations campaign against critics. They were confident in that campaign and in their ability to continue the status quo, and I am heartened that the House has just definitively proven them wrong," Cruz stated.

The senator had previously introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025, legislation aimed at imposing sanctions on Nigerian officials whom he accused of facilitating violence against Christians.

Cruz's comments followed revelations that Nigeria retained the services of Washington-based lobbying firm DCI Group under a contract reportedly worth $9 million.

According to documents filed with the US Department of Justice, the engagement was arranged by Kaduna-based law firm Aster Legal on behalf of the Office of the National Security Adviser, led by Nuhu Ribadu.

The contract was signed in December, months after Nigeria was reportedly designated a "Country of Particular Concern" by the administration of US President Donald Trump.

Separately, Matthew Tonlagha, Vice Chairman of Tantita Security Services, also retained Washington-based Valcour Global Public Strategy to strengthen bilateral relations between Nigeria and the United States.

The lobbying arrangements have drawn criticism from some American lawmakers.

Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Chris Smith, argued that the contracts reflected what he described as "a culture of denial" among Nigerian officials regarding the country's security challenges.

Meanwhile, former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, has alleged that the Presidency is attempting to portray a reported letter from President Donald Trump as an endorsement of President Bola Tinubu's administration.

Frank maintained that the reported correspondence was merely a diplomatic communication acknowledging cooperation between Nigeria and the United States on security issues and should not be interpreted as political support.

According to him, the Federal Government should publish the letter in full if it intends to rely on it as evidence of international backing.

"The letter is not from the White House. If it doesn't have the White House seal and the signature of the President of the United States, it appears dubious at best," Frank said.

He argued that, based on publicly available accounts of the correspondence, the letter focused solely on bilateral security cooperation.

"The letter only commended Nigeria for partnering with the US in addressing insecurity. That is the only reason President Trump may have written it. It was not an endorsement of President Tinubu's leadership, his economic policies or his administration.

"It did not say the Trump administration is backing President Tinubu or supporting him for any election in Nigeria.

"The Presidency is only trying to change the narrative by presenting it as something more than it is."

Frank also questioned why the reported letter, said to have been dated July 6, only surfaced publicly weeks later.

According to him, if the correspondence represented a significant diplomatic endorsement, it would likely have been released immediately rather than emerging after considerable delay.

He further compared the development with former President Muhammadu Buhari's official visit to the White House during Donald Trump's first administration, arguing that direct presidential engagements carry greater diplomatic significance than routine exchanges of correspondence.

Frank also criticised reports that the Federal Government had spent millions of dollars on lobbyists in Washington, arguing that governments enjoying genuine international credibility would not require expensive reputation management campaigns abroad.

"Ultimately, credibility and integrity cannot be conferred through a letter, a diplomatic exchange or a public relations campaign. They are earned through transparent leadership, accountability, respect for democratic institutions and faithful service to the people," Frank said.

At the time of filing this report, the Presidency had not publicly responded to Frank's latest claims. Nigerian authorities have consistently maintained that the government remains committed to tackling insecurity through ongoing military operations, intelligence cooperation and broader security reforms